National News

Ballarat beat hosts Brisbane to seal cup final berth

The final women’s group match saw Atletico Brisbane take on Ballarat FC. This match was a must win for Atletico for them to progress through to the final, where Ballarat would be happy with a draw to guarantee their place in the final. Despite going behind, Ballarat bounced back to record an emphatic 9-3 victory and seal a cup final berth against Eastcoast Eagles.

After going down in yesterday’s match against Eastcoast, Brisbane started the match well, with number eight Tiarne Petterwood scoring an early goal to give them the lead. However, the lead was short lived as Ballarat’s number eight Alyson Pym, converted from Margot Robinne’s assist.

Brisbane gained possession of the ball and were on the attack, the talented Mylene Deschamps from Ballarat FC made a tackle and scored a quickfire goal on the counter attack. Ballarat’s Robinne scored yet another goal after Brisbane’s sixth foul, and added one more before the break to her ever-growing tally, leaving the score at 4-1 to Ballarat FC.

Half Time: Atletico Brisbane 1-4 Ballarat FC

Going into the second half Atletico began to play fifth man to try and find a way back into the match, with makeshift goalkeeper Jaz Kent getting forward at every opportunity. Brisbane’s number three Jessica Hogg scored an impressive effort to give the home side hope. However, that was quickly extinguished as Ballarat fired back straight away with a well taken goal from number ten Mylene Deschamps.

Brisbane’s fifth man tactic had increased their attacking threat and it began to pay off when goalkeeper Kent scored a fantastic strike from outside the penalty area.

However, once again the momentum was short lived as Ballarat fired back immediately with Robinne firing into the empty net to seal her hat-trick. In the closing stages Ballarat eased to victory, with Robinne, Dechamps and Pym helping themselves to further goals, making the final score 9-3.

The victory leads Ballarat FC into the final where they will come up against Eastcoast Eagles. The loss for Brisbane means they will have to contest the third place play-off.

Full Time: Atletico Brisbane 3-9 Ballarat FC

Magic Moment – Atletico: Atletico’s magic moment goes to the first goal of the match scored by Tiarne Petterwood which set the tone for a goal filled match.

POTM – Atletico: Jessica Hogg earned herself player of the match in this afternoon’s game with an energy filled display capped with a goal.
POTM – Ballarat: Margot Robbine earned herself POTM for today’s game with an impressive five goal haul.